The City of Duluth relies on its citizens and business owners to provide insight and knowledge through various Boards, Commissions & Committees.  The members are carefully selected to meet specific needs for each Board, Commission or Committee.  All boards are appointed by the Mayor and City Council. Each of the Boards & Commissions is listed below with a brief overview of their specific function along with current members and their current terms. An Appointment Application  and/or nominations can be submitted at any time to volunteer@duluthga.net. Board members are required to read and agree to follow the City of Duluth Code of Ethics Ordinance City Ethics policy.  All members must either reside or own a business in the City limits of Duluth and be current on all City of Duluth taxes prior to nomination.  All Boards & Commissions (except Judges and Associate Judges) are 4 year terms with a maximum of 14 consecutive years (Beginning 06/11/2012.)  

Mayor and City Council

The Mayor and City Council determine policies, enact legislation and provide political leadership in the community. For 2013, Mayor and Council meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, and a work session is held on the fourth Monday at 5:30 in the Community Room (basement level) of City Hall.

The City of Duluth is governed by a Mayor and five Council members, who each run for a specific post but are elected by a City-wide popular vote. City elections are nonpartisan; i.e. candidates do not run as members of a particular political party, and their individual party affiliations are not relevant to their positions in City government. Elected officials serve for terms of four (4) years and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. The Council members who hold posts 1,2 and 3 shall be elected in the same odd year; The Mayor and Council members who hold posts 4 and 5 shall be elected in the alternating odd year.

 Alcohol Review Board

The Alcoholic Beverage Review Board shall be composed of five (5) members and two (2) alternates who shall be nominated by the Mayor and Council of the City of Duluth to serve a two-year term. A quorum of the Alcoholic Beverage Review Board shall be five regular members or alternates.

1. Member must pass a background check conducted by the City Police Dept.

No Alcoholic Beverage Review Board member may be nominated or may serve if convicted of: Driving under the Influence; any felony or misdemeanor of any state, or of the United States; or any municipal ordinance except traffic violations not related to Driving Under the Influence, within a period of ten (10) years immediately prior to nomination or service.

1. Members are appointed by the Mayor and Council for a two-year term

The Alcoholic Beverage Review Board conducts meetings as necessary. The meetings are usually called when; a request has been made for an amendment to the City Alcoholic Beverage Ordinance, to serve as an appeal board when an applicant has been denied a permit/license to sell alcoholic beverages, or due to applicant’s violation of city ordinances.  Please contact the City Clerk for any questions regarding this board.

Community Betterment Commission     

The Community Betterment Program provides policy and guidance for the operation of a City-sponsored matching fund program for areas of need. The Community Betterment Commission activities are coordinated through the Code Compliance Officer of the Planning Department.  All inquiries regarding the Community Betterment Commission should be directed to the Code Compliance Officer.

Downtown Development Authority

The Downtown Development Authority shall be composed of seven (7) members created and appointed by the City Council and recognized by the State of Georgia as a public corporation with a specified set of powers and a specific purpose and mission to:

• Revitalize and redevelop the central business district.
• Develop and promote the public good and general welfare, trade, commerce, industry, and employment opportunities.
• Finance projects within the central business district that will develop and promote the public good and general welfare.
• Issue bonds to finance projects.

Four (4) members of this board must have or represent a party who has an economic interest in the redevelopment and revitalization of the downtown development area (i.e.. own or operate a business or own property). The three remaining members must reside in the City limits of Duluth. Members are appointed for a four-year term. The Downtown Development Authority meets the third Tuesday of every month at City Hall at 6:30 PM. All inquiries regarding the Downtown Development Authority should be directed to the Economic Development Manager.

Duluth Public Arts Commission (DPAC)

The City of Duluth is creating a Duluth Public Arts Commission (DPAC) as recently approved by the Duluth City Council. The three primary goals of the DPAC are:

1. To promote the training, development and performance of performing arts 2. To maintain the City’s existing public art collection 3. To commission, acquire and exhibit new public works of art

The vision for the DPAC and intention of this program is to preserve the City’s heritage, enhance its character and identity, contribute to economic development and tourism, add beauty and interest to public spaces and architecture and increase opportunities for the public to experience, and participate in the arts. This will be done through the performance, acquisition and installation of world- class public art. All inquiries regarding the Duluth Public Arts Commission should be directed to the Public Art Coordinator.

DPAC Information (pdf)
DPAC Guidelines (pdf)  
DPAC Ordinance  
DPAC Agenda
DPAC Minutes

Ethics Board       

The Ethics Board is responsible for the investigation of any Ethics complaint made against the Mayor and Council. Each member of the Mayor and Council nominates 2 citizens to serve on this board.  In the event of a complaint, a blind draw of 5 members will serve on a panel to hear complaint hearing. No person shall serve as a member of the board if the person has had any interest in any contract, transaction, or official action of the City within in the preceding year. The Ethics Board activities are coordinated through the City Clerk. All inquiries regarding the Ethics Board should be directed to the City Clerk.

Finance Committee

The Finance (Investment) Committee is composed of up to eight (8) members. This committee consists of two (2) members of the governing body, one (1) to four (4) city residents with investment experience, one (1) of who shall be designated as an alternate, the City Budget, and Accounting Supervisor, and the City Human Resource Manager. The Committee shall meet quarterly to consider matters and make recommendations to the Mayor and Council related to the Economic Outlook, portfolio diversification, and maturity structure, potential risks to City funds, brokers and dealers, and the target rate-of-return on the investment portfolio. The Committee shall perform such other duties as may be assigned, or upon motion of the governing body. The Finance Committee activities are coordinated through the City Clerk’s Department. All inquiries regarding the Finance Committee should be directed to the Finance Manager.

Korean Task Force

Korean Task Force Agendas and Minutes

The Korean Task Force was organized to proactively identify and address challenges affecting both Korean Americans and community leaders in order to enhance the quality of life for all Duluth citizens.

Municipal Court Judges

Contact: Judge Charles Barrett

Current Members: Municipal Court Judge and associate Judges of the City of Duluth are authorized to serve in said positions until a majority vote of Council removes such member(s) or until successors are appointed. Must be 21 years of age and a member of the State Bar of Georgia.

Municipal Court Solicitors   

Municipal Court Solicitors of the Municipal Court of the City of Duluth, and are authorized to serve in said positions a majority vote of Council removes such member(s) or until successors are appointed.

Parks & Recreation Advisory Board

Parks & Rec Agendas & Minutes

The City of Duluth Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is a seven member volunteer board appointed by the Duluth City Council. Seven members reside within the City limits and the eighth member may reside within the City limits or own and operate a business within the City limits. The eight member board serves two-year terms with alternating appointment dates. The board provides advice, and guidance to staff and elected officials in the best interest of the City to meet the recreational needs of all segments of the population within the community. The board is responsible for the development of park facilities that include projects associated with funding from SPLOST (Special Local Option Sales tax), recreational policies and procedures, citizen input, budget support, and public relation support. The board meets the first Wednesday of every month except for holiday months, January and July in which the meetings are scheduled for the second Wednesday of the month.

If you are interested in recreational activities, park facilities and developing recreational opportunities for the City, please apply and complete the Appointment Application or contact Kathy Marelle.

Planning Commission

Planning Commission Agendas and Minutes

The Duluth Planning Commission meets on the first and third Monday of each month at Duluth City Hall. A pre-meeting work session, which is open to the public, begins at 6:30 p.m. and the regular session begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. The Planning Commission considers zoning ordinance amendments, traffic calming petitions, zoning changes, land use changes, and special use permits. It may also be utilized to do research on other issues at the direction of Duluth City Council. The Planning Commission consists of five appointed members: a Chairman who is appointed by the Mayor, Vice Chairman, Secretary, two regular members, and an Alternate. The Alternate is a non-voting member unless there is an absence at a meeting. One member of the Planning Commission also serves on the Zoning Board of Appeals. If you would like to submit information for review by the Planning Commission, please submit to Bill Aiken via e-mail orfax to 770-497-5305. Click on the following links for applications for Annexation, Rezoning, Modification, or Special Use Permit.

Urban Redevelopment Authority         

The Urban Redevelopment Agency activities are coordinated through the City Clerk. All inquiries regarding the Urban Redevelopment Agency should be directed to the City Clerk.

Zoning Board of Appeals

Zoning Board of Appeals Agendas and Minutes

The Duluth Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Duluth City Hall. A pre-meeting work session, which is open to the public, begins at 6:30 p.m. and the regular meeting beings promptly at 7:00 p.m. The ZBA considers variances, conditional use permits and appeals, and may be utilized to work on special projects at the direction of Duluth City Council. The ZBA consists of five appointed members: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, two regular members, and an Alternate. The Alternate is a non-voting member, unless there is an absence at a meeting.

The responsibilities of the ZBA are to consider applications for Conditional Use Permits and Variances to the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance or the City’s Buffer, Landscape & Tree Ordinance. For instance, a reduction in building setback or encroachment into a buffer would be heard by the ZBA. If you would like to submit something for review by the Zoning Board of Appeals, please submit via to Bill Aiken via e-mail or fax to 770-814-3008. Click here for the applications for Appeal, Variance or Conditional Use Permit.

VETERANS MARKER COMMITTEE

Veteran Marker Committee Agendas and Minutes

This Board shall consist of one member of the governing body, two citizens of Duluth (at least one of whom is an active or retired veteran, Chairperson of the Planning Commission, and the Public Works Director.  Members will be appointed by the Mayor and Council to serve a four-year term.  Meetings will be held twice annually, as needed, to consider applications for exceptions and exemptions from the City’s Operating Procedure governing the Veteran’s Marker Program. Please contact the Public Works Office for any questions regarding this Board. For more information to serve on this Committee, go here.